Maui part 2

I've been in Maui for a month now.  There's been some pretty big days at Hookipa with the channel closing out. I've seen Jaws breaking, pretty cool to see it in the flesh.  Defiantly want to come back and try and sail it in the next few years, so long as I have a jet ski!

 The person out hear who has impressed me the most hast to be Katie McAnena.  Paddling off the rocks to sail Jaws was pretty ballsy.  Leaving the guy's and myself  feeling slightly emasculated.

Hookipa a trick place.

It's taken me quite a while to get used to Hookipa.  Very busy, if you make a mistake you miss your wave and or your kit ends up on the rock on bigger days.  Luckily I have only had to kick off the rocks!

I was getting to the point where I was wondering what the hell I was doing here until the break though.  I tried out a custom quatro, which i fell in love with instantly. It improved my sailing so much I had to buy it.  The guys at quatro were super cool and very helpful, even after I pretty much stole the board off them for 4 days.   Now just waiting for the wind to kick back in this week and get on it.

  'Borrowing' a custom quatro at Hookipa

Loved it so much I had to buy it. Sprayed and ready to go.

 Katie Going for it 

Katie going balls out putting a lot of guys to shame.  

Sadly ending up on the rocks., the price you have to pay.

Cape Town Cold UK and Maui

South Africa

Once again I have been pretty lucky to get away to cape town this winter.  It gave me a good opportunity to really test out my knee.  Hats of to my Physio and Surgeon for all the help.   I even found I was sailing better with out the knee brace.  Winner!

It was a very different trip to last time I was in cape town.  Slowly getting back into full power sailing, then light winds for the latter half of my trip.  This led to me exploring the cape, surfing, climbing and venturing into the city more.  I highly recommend  the place to anyone looking for a varied amount of traveling as well as enjoy some world class sailing.  In one of my better moments, I  managed to destroy my hard drive!  So excuse the lack of  cape town photos.

 Final Sunset session 

Sunset

 Cape Point

Climbing Lions Head overlooking the city

Back to the UK

The days before I got back to the UK I noticed there was a decent NE wind. I was pretty excited as one of my home spots goes off for jumping in these conditions. So on my last day after bashing some balls off on a South African driving range in shorts and T-shirt I got on the the plan back to the UK . I was greeted by a snow blizzard and a flat battery in my van!! Ever the optimist I headed to the beach a couple of days later.  Not being able to feel my hands after 5 minutes, I took the elective decision not to go sailing and wait for Maui. Where sailing in board shorts seems to be pretty standard.

My home spot Bawdsey.  Not so inviting once it starts snowing!

Maui

I've been in Maui for a week now.  One of the most chilled out places I've visited. No wind at the start of the trip but plenty of surfing.   My first day the faces at Hookipa were a little over mast and glassy, perfect for surfing . Being a little intimidated I elected not to go for a surf, as the inevitable beating  I would take along with jet lag would not have gone well.  Since then we have had  few medium wave windsurfing days at Hookipa by Maui standards - pretty big if you ask me!  The swells finally kicking in next week.  Hopefully I wont be visiting Hookipa's famous rocks.

Hookipa on the second day with a little less swell

Getting started at Hookipa

Last sail of 2012

As it was quite windy and wavy between Christmas and new year, I was hoping to get down to Cornwall.  Sadly my van was not  co-operating.  I still managed some sailing on the south coast, having my best session of the year, on new years eve, at Pagham near Chichester. Not hard as I can nearly count the the number of wave sessions I've had on one hand, due to injury and work commitments! 

Hear's a short video of my new years eve session before my go pro packed up. Happy new year to every one.  

New year resolutions; more windsurfing!

Cheers to Jim at Puravida for the loan of the board and thanks to Turfdog, Chinook, Simmer and K4 harness mount s for there support. 

New Years Eve 2012 from michael Archer on Vimeo.